Road repairs causing more traffic delays in Vancouver

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Sewer upgrades underway along Smithe Street in Downtown Vancouver are slowing down drivers between Homer and Beatty Streets.

The disruptive construction comes shortly after city crews wrapped up extensive work along Burrard Street and Pacific Boulevard.

Devon Fitch, Vancouver’s manager of project delivery, says two lanes of traffic will stay open.

“We are limiting lane closures to one westbound lane, so two lanes will be open throughout construction. We’re also restricting some of the turning movements at Hamilton and Homer [Streets] to facilitate more through movement on Smithe Street.”

He explains the work, mainly being done between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. — is not expected to wrap until the summer.

“Specifically, we’re doing a block of sewer replacement — that’s both in terms of the age of the sewer pipe, but also to accommodate new developments downtown and we’re also reconstructing three blocks of the arterial street. It’s an important bus route and part of our major road network, so we’re resurfacing Smithe Street, we’re going to be making some spot improvements to the sidewalks, some of the curb ramps [and] some of the crossings. We coordinate with other initiatives and we look at the network as a whole, not just one project, so it’s an opportunity to coordinate the needs of both the sewer system upgrades and also the need to resurface Smithe Street and overall reduce the amount of impact that happens to nearby businesses and residents and commuters alike.”

Fitch adds feedback from drivers has already prompted some changes. “The right turn lanes and a shared use with the cyclists’ facility that’s there could be improved by some separation and dedicated space, so we’re going to be doing that at some of the right turn locations and also lengthening some of the right turn lanes.”

Alternate routes include Pacific or Expo Boulevards, Main, Granville or Quebec Streets.

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